Margaret Nancy Doughty sampler

Description:	A) Embroidered sampler stitched 26 count natural linen with verse surrounded by small floral vine over landscaped mansion; large flowers at bottom. Around all is a large angular floral vine cross stitched over thread using shades of green with flowers worked in tan, gold, yellow and white forming a border on all sides. The 2 upper corners of the border are angular. The 2 lower corners are softer, slightly curved lines. Verse is cross stitched in black over thread: While rosy cheeks thy bloom confess./ And youth thy bosom warms/ Let virtue and let knowledge dress./ Thy mind in brightercharms/ Daily on some fine page look / Lay meaner sports aside. / And let the needle and thy book./ Thy useful hours divide. All lines are justified to the left. A small verse beginning & ending on either side of the title TO YOUTH, which is cross stitched in black. Below this border, cross stitched in black and justified to the right are 2 lines: Margaret Nancy Doughty. Aged 13 years. / Centerville Wayne Co. Indiana AD 1833 Large flowers and leaves are stitched in each corner of the outer boarder using the same colors. The flower in the lower left corner was stitched over thread. The large flowers in the other 3 corners were stitched over 2 threads. A large flower motif stitched above the lower left corner flower is worked over 2 threads and includes some small blue flowers with yellow centers. Centered across the bottom, a mansion flanked by 2 trees is worked over 2 threads. Some shadows & grasses in front of the building are worked over thread. B) Frame is 3/4 wooden frame in very worn gold leaf with a black stripe. Condition Very Good. There is some discoloration in the upper left corner, continuing down the left side just inside the border. This beautiful sampler was made by thirteen year old Margaret Nancy Doughty in Centerville, Indiana, in 1833. The borders of the sampler feature stylized vine and flower motifs. An interesting feature is the turreted house or castle. The poem is not original, but most likely taken from literature of the period. Like many towns in the 1830s, Centerville had a Ladies Academy where needlework, among other subjects, was taught. Margaret made this cross stitch sampler when she was a pupil at the Centerville school.
Origin:	1833
Created By:	Doughty, Margaret Nancy
Source:	http://iuidigital.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/CPQuilts/id/334
Collection:	Conner Prairie Museum Textile Collection
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Copyright:	No Copyright – United States
Subjects:	Textile fabrics -- Indiana -- History Samplers Embroidery

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